A Jonesboro man is facing felony charges after admitting to breaking into vehicles at a hospital parking garage and being found driving a stolen car.
According to a probable cause affidavit, 20-year-old Jacob Clint Bell was charged Wednesday by Craighead County District Judge David Boling. Bell faces three counts of breaking or entering articles from a vehicle, a Class D felony; theft of property, credit/debit cards, a Class D felony; and theft of $1,000 or less from a vehicle, a Class A misdemeanor.
The charges stem from an investigation that began on Sept. 23, when Jonesboro police were notified of a stolen vehicle from the parking garage at St. Bernards Medical Center. Shortly after, officers with the Trumann Police Department stopped the stolen car and found Bell behind the wheel. Following his detention, Bell was taken to St. Bernards for medical clearance.
While at St. Bernards, Bell reportedly admitted to breaking into additional vehicles in the hospital parking structure, according to the affidavit.
One vehicle owner later alerted police that $500 in $20 bills and credit cards were taken from her vehicle. Officers later recovered $420 in $20 bills on Bell at the time of his arrest, the affidavit said. Another victim reported finding a laptop in her vehicle that did not belong to her. Investigators determined the laptop’s screen displayed Bell’s name, and he was able to unlock the device, according to officials.
Bell is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 16.